Wednesday, November 7, 2012

1862 November 8 Fairfax Seminary, Virginia

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]

Sat. 8. Warmer – snow melts – busy helping make arrangements for
sick–Young Nicholson whom I saw dying–is dead – his bro. is down with
measles. Moved Col. [Enoch J.] Ayres into a house, fitted up for hospital –
Met an excellent Chapl. of 16th Mass – great experience through temperance
devoted, pious excellent gentlemanly man. At dress parade
I presented a sword &c to Col. D[derrom] for [from] his Employees.
Another death at that Emory Hospital. Thos. Beckwith Co. F of measles.
wrote his mother – Sudden – his Co. will send body home –
Capt. B – called – under conviction talked & prayed with him. Had
promised his dying sister he would be ready to follow her –
a year & more ago – felt more deeply since came to Regt.
then before – W. also called talked & prayed with him.
We have all measles cases in one Hos. tent & other sick in
Hos. house – more comfortable – It is 11 P.M. we go on
picket tomorrow at 8 – without shelter tents for two days
Letter fr. M. H. & fine map of Va. fr. Mr. [Julius Erasmus?] Hilgard

About Me

The Special Collections Dept. of the University of Virginia Library holds over 25 Civil War diaries and thousands of letters of both Union and Confederate soldiers. Noted holdings include letters of Robert E. Lee, papers of "Gray Ghost" John S. Mosby and Confederate Generals Thomas L. Rosser, Elisha F. "Bull" Paxton, and Philip St. George Cocke, and William S. Hillyer of Ulysses Grant's staff.